All articles by Linda Stewart
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NewsStinkbug leg organ contains symbiotic fungi to shield eggs from parasitic wasps
What looked like a hearing organ on a tiny stinkbug’s leg turned out to be something far stranger: a fungal nursery that mother bugs use to coat their newly laid eggs in protective symbiotic hyphae, shielding their offspring from parasitic wasps.
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NewsGut microbiome affects alcohol preference by influencing brain’s reward system
A new study shows how an overgrowth of Candida albicans - overly abundant in people with alcohol use disorder - increases levels of inflammatory molecules that can cross the blood-brain barrier and affect the desire for alcohol.
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NewsAnts alter their nest networks to prevent epidemics, study finds
Ants make a series of clever architectural adjustments to their nests to prevent the spread of disease, new research has found. Nests built by colonies exposed to disease had far more widely spread entrances and were more separated, with fewer direct connexions between chambers.
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NewsAfrican wildlife poop sheds light on what shapes the gut ecosystem
A study of elephants, giraffes and other wildlife in Namibia’s Etosha National Park underscores the ways in which the environment, biological sex, and anatomical distinctions can drive variation in the gut microbiomes across plant-eating species.
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NewsWhat we know and what we need to know about Antarctic marine viruses
Antarctic marine viruses, while proven to be important players in the ecosystem, are not completely understood. In a new paper, researchers aim to fill in the gap between what is known and what is unknown, with a primary focus on RNA viruses, the influence of climate change and their implications.
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NewsA triple-threat iron supplement that also improves gut health
A new iron supplement combines iron, prebiotics and probiotics. In trials, the treatment successfully restored blood iron levels in anemic mice without initiating an inflammatory response or throwing off the balance of the gut microbiota.
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NewsResearch alert: Bacterial chatter slows wound healing
Researchers have discovered a previously unrecognized mechanism by which Staphylococcus aureus delays wound healing. The study finds that quorum sensing is a key driver of delayed healing in wounds infected by S. aureus.
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NewsCombination of pre- and probiotics offers superior anti-inflammatory benefits compared with omega-3 or prebiotic alone
A new study has found that combining certain types of dietary supplements is more effective than single prebiotics or omega-3 in supporting immune and metabolic health, which could lower the risk of conditions linked to chronic inflammation.
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NewsBiologist links stable gut bacteria to healthy childhood growth
New research reveals that the stability of gut bacteria in early life plays a critical role in whether children thrive or struggle with undernutrition – a global health challenge affecting millions.
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NewsDiscovery of hundreds of new human gut viruses provides a new approach to studying the gut microbiome
Hundreds of new viruses living inside bacteria within our gut have been discovered in an international study. These bacteriophages could eventually be used to reshape the gut microbiome, potentially influencing gut health and the progression of various disease states.
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NewsIn chromosome of key biotech bacterium, different setups bring different strengths
New research has found that the effectiveness of biotech bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens’ virulence varies, depending on how its chromosome is arranged.
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NewsHuman Organ Chip technology sets stage for pan-influenza A CRISPR RNA therapies
Human lung alveolus chip infection model enables investigation of viral replication, inflammatory responses, and genetic off-target effects of a novel pan-influenza CRISPR therapy.
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NewsFriendly soil microbes can boost protein in staple crops
Researchers investigated how a bacterium naturally found in the soil that is beneficial to human health can enhance the levels of the amino acid and antioxidant ergothioneine in spring wheat.
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NewsIUCN members choose science and ethics in landmark vote on synthetic biology
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has hailed the adoption of Motion 87, supporting the responsible, evidence-based use of synthetic biology, at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi as a historic milestone for global conservation policy.
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NewsBreakthrough in coronavirus fight: scientists develop powerful bispecific inhibitor to combat a wide range of coronaviruses
Researchers have discovered a powerful bispecific inhibitor capable of combating all existing human-pathogenic coronaviruses, including those resistant to existing treatments like Paxlovid.
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NewsSynthetic biology reprograms plant–microbe partnerships for resilient agriculture
By integrating engineering principles with plant biology, a new review highlights how redesigned genetic pathways and plant-based biosensors can deepen understanding of plant responses to both harmful and beneficial microbes.
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NewsResearchers discover method to combat antibiotic treatment failure
Researchers explored ways to alter our own immune cells to help antibiotics work more effectively. They identified a small molecule that alters the body’s immune cells, forcing them to ’wake up’ dormant bacteria and make them more vulnerable to antibiotic treatment.
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NewsGut microbiota disruption predicts severe steatosis in MASLD patients
A new study links gut dysbiosis with severe steatosis in metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). In a 61-patient cohort, those with the inflammation-linked Bact2 enterotype developed severe steatosis at lower thresholds.
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NewsAlgae and water fleas in lakes: Light color influences food webs
Phytoplankton are the basic food source for many aquatic organisms. A new study shows that the light spectrum is more important for these microalgae and for lake ecosystems than previously assumed.
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NewsWetland plant-fungus combo cleans up ‘forever chemicals’ in a pilot study
From a greenhouse study, researchers report that moisture-loving yellow flag irises and fungi on their roots are a promising combination for PFAS removal. As part of a constructed wetland, this pair could effectively treat contaminated wastewater.